Post 19 steals win from New Orleans, plays Bryant for World Series berth

Sunday

Aug 10, 2014 at 10:06 AM

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. - Columbia Post 19 scored twice in the top of the eighth inning Sunday to edge Retif Oil 8-7 and stay alive in the Mid-South American Legion Regional Tournament.

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. - Columbia Post 19 scored twice in the top of the eighth inning Sunday to edge Retif Oil 8-7 and stay alive in the Mid-South American Legion Regional Tournament.

This marked the third consecutive one-run decision for Columbia, who won on a walk-off Friday over Tupelo, Miss., but lost in similar fashion 6-5 to Bryant, Ark. on Saturday.

Columbia will have a rematch with Bryant at 2 p.m. Monday and will have to defeat the Black Sox twice to advance to the World Series in Shelby, N.C. In Sunday’s second game, Bryant outlasted Jefferson, Mo. in a game which had multi-ejections with at least one player from both teams being removed by an umpire.

Columbia coach Scott Beasley praised the team for their effort that has been a trademark for the team.

"We battled like we have all year," said Beasley. "We still haven’t hit well in this tournament, but we’re still alive."

"Anything can happen in one day of baseball, so it should be fun," said Beasley.

Retif Oil, representing the New Orleans area, took a 7-6 lead on Columbia into the top of the eighth.With two out, Alex McKelvy started the rally with a single. Hayden Holt worked his way on with a walk, then Jake Usher singled to left field bringing McKelvy home with the tying run, and Holt racing to third base.

Then Post 19 pulled a double steal as Usher broke for second base, then forced a rundown which gave Holt a chance to break for home and Holt made it to give his team the lead.

Dylan Stewart replaced starter Ben Wright on the mound and the righthander retired six of the seven batters he faced including three via three strikes to perserve the lead.

Ryan Helgren (two RBI) had three of the eight hits for Columbia, who swiped eight bases including two each by Alex McKelvy and Usher.

McKelvy had a hit, two runs scored and an RBI. Usher (RBI), Carter Bair (run), Austin Hornick (two RBIs) had one hit each. Holt, Bair, Helgren and Sockwell also crossed home once each.

SATURDAY’S GAME

WINNERS BRACKET FINALS

Bryant, Ark. 6, Columbia, Tn. 5: The Black Sox scored three times with one out in the last of the ninth, overcoming a 6-5 lead by the Tennessee state champions.

Columbia carried a 5-3 lead into the last of the last of the fourth but did not score in the final five innings against Bryant relief pitcher Justin Emmerling, who walked just one and gave up just one hit.

Usher yielded 11 hits but issued just two walks and whiffed six batters. Columbia did not commit an error, but had just five hits.

Post 19 leadoff hitter McKelvy scored three runs and second place batter Hayden Usher, Holt, Sockwell, Ben Wright and William Pilkinton had one hit each for Columbia. Carter Bair and Sockwell had one RBI each, while Usher and Wright scored one time each